Hasta La Gadget!

Facebook is reportedly testing a Craigslist challenger, with a combination of paid and free adverts, housing requests, and projects, that would promote focused sharing rather than being a global message-board. The work-in-progress, currently known internally as “Marketplace” so sources tell The Daily, would allow Facebookers to use the same promoted posts technology for a one-off advert, with a sub-$5 listing fee, with visibility in news feeds. However, it’s not just a classifieds system, the insiders claim.

Instead, there would be distinct sections for jobs, projects, and housing, along with items for sale. The housing listings would be free, it’s claimed, and only shown to those within the specific target area users give. For instance, only those friends in a certain location would initially see the advert, though they could re-share it to others.

The filtering system would apparently step up a gear when it comes to job adverts. As well as focusing visibility by area, the ads could also be set to only show up when users’ qualifications meet a certain standard; so, if your job demanded a candidate with a masters degree, it would not be seen by those who don’t have such a qualification listed on their profile.

For Facebook, it might also have a useful side-effect of encouraging users to share more information about themselves, so that they see more appropriate adverts and don’t miss out on opportunities.

As for projects, that’s described as a collaborative working tool, with users able to publish guides and tips – a little like Instructables, perhaps – as well as publicize ongoing projects they’d like assistance with. That could range from a party to a fledgling startup business.

According to the sources, Marketplace – a name which was previously used for a similar listings service, passed over to Oodle in 2009 – is “on a fast track” to launch, though specific timescales are unknown.

Facebook resurrecting Marketplace as Craigslist challenge tip insiders is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

You’re supposed to toss your toothbrush in the trash and get a new one every three months? Do you?

Either you do, and you waste a lot of plastic and bristle to keep your mouth clean, or you don’t, and your mouth simply isn’t clean. But Oliver Haas and Jake Felser in Boston are disrupting the tooth-cleaning landscape with the ReBrush.

The ReBrush is a toothbrush that comes with replaceable brush heads, meaning that you can replace the bristly part without getting rid of the entire toothbrush. And with the ReBrush, you wouldn’t want to. The handle is made of anodized aluminum, which gives it a heavy, solid feel in the hand.

And if reducing your toothbrush waste by up to 80 percent in two years isn’t enough to placate your environmental awareness, perhaps the fact that this bad boy has a lower lifetime carbon footprint than any regular or electric toothbrush will win you over.

ReBrush is also manufactured entirely in the U.S.

Haas and Felser have been trying to create the next generation of household products with their LittleBonsai brand, which began with a Kickstarter project called the Clip. However, Kickstarter isn’t too hot on household products lately, and so the guys have set up a reservation system on the LittleBonsai web page.

The ReBrush costs $25 for a year (four heads and one handle), and shipments are estimated to begin in February 2013.

Click to view slideshow.

By some accounts, Sony botched the NEX-F3. Positioned as the successor to the fantastic C3, it replaced that camera’s slim profile with a bulkier build, but sacrificed basic display tilt functionality in favor of a front-facing model. Image quality was fine, but focusing speeds fell short. Fortunately, the company has redeemed itself with the $750 NEX-5R. The mirrorless camera you’ll read about today represents everything a successful update should: performance has been improved all around, the touchscreen tilts in every which way and the design has changed only for the better.

It’s also the first Sony mirrorless cam to feature WiFi, along with the company’s new PlayMemories Camera Apps. Wireless connectivity is undoubtedly becoming a popular addition in higher-end models, but that doesn’t mean it’s a feature users are demanding. With Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Camera, connectivity — 4G in particular — makes perfect sense, but how does that web experience transfer to a tiny 3-inch touchscreen? And does it detract from usability overall? Join us past the break for a closer look at this very capable 16.1-megapixel interchangeable lens camera.

Continue reading Sony NEX-5R review: focusing and performance improvements make this cam a winner

Filed under: Cameras, Sony

Sony NEX-5R review: focusing and performance improvements make this cam a winner originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When we think about Kentucky, we’re put in mind of dusky beverages, Harland Sanders’ chicken and its legendary derby. That’s why it’s so nice to see regional carrier Bluegrass Cellular offering the iPhone 5 on its network. The handset arrives on November 2nd, with the 16GB variant setting you back $150 on any of its plans, the cheapest offering you 200 minutes, Unlimited texts and 3GB data for $65. We’ve got all of the plans laid out for you after the break, so grab your twelve-string and join in.

Continue reading Bluegrass Cellular offering homespun wisdom, iPhone 5 for $150 on November 2nd

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Apple

Bluegrass Cellular offering homespun wisdom, iPhone 5 for $150 on November 2nd originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 09:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Back in May, Google added a new research pane to Google Docs, offering the ability to search for any topic and get results without having to leave the document you’re working on. It’s a small feature, but helps save time and makes it easier for users. Today, the search giant has added the research pane to Presentations and Drawings.

When putting together a presentation or sketching up a drawing in Google Drive, users can now use the research pane to search for content and help them with their project without minimizing or opening up another window. For example, you can add a photo from your Picasa album, or grab a quote from a friend’s Google+ profile and paste it into your project, all from the same window.

Just like when the research pane was first introduced, Google Apps users will still only be limited to web-only search results, since personal content search is intended for individual accounts only. However, most students for which this feature would benefit usually only have individual accounts anyway, so the limitation probably isn’t too much of an issue.

If you find that you’re not a big fan of the research pane and it’s just taking up precious screen real estate, you can easily toggle it on and off right from your document. However, those who heavily rely on the Google ecosystem will no doubt get some great use out of the new feature, and it’s a time saver that’ll shave a few minutes off of your project work session each time you use it.

Google Docs research pane expands to Presentations and Drawings is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.